Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo reviewed tape of a special teams drill the day after a 2016 practice.

Alohi Gilman was the one player who stood out.

“He was the only one that did everything exactly right,” Niumatalolo said this week. “It was all the points that the (special teams) coach was wanting to emphasize. He was a true freshman, and we had seniors and other veteran players that didn’t do everything right.

“It stuck out to me that this kid, his football IQ is really, really high.”

Gilman played one season at Navy, then transferred to Notre Dame. After sitting out in 2017 because of NCAA transfer rules, he’ll get the first opportunity to play against his former team when the third-ranked Irish (7-0) meet Navy (2-5) on Saturday night in San Diego.

“I learned so much at Navy,” Gilman said. “I don’t think I’d be the person I am today without being at Navy. Carrying it through these past couple of years and sitting out last year have been challenges that have made me a better person.

“This game obviously means a lot for me.”

The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842 by the Rev. Edward Sorin and seven others, according to the university's website. Originally an all-male school, Notre Dame became coed in 1972 and now has a student enrollment of about 12,000. Take a look at some classic photos of the university near South Bend, Ind.

The 5-foot-10½, 202-pound Gilman is one of the leaders at free safety for Notre Dame’s talented defense.

“The first thing that he does is he brings a toughness, a swagger to our defensive backfield,” coach Brian Kelly said. “It’s rubbed off a little bit on our safeties.

“Certainly, he’s a really good player. He’s athletic, he’s tough (and) he can play the ball. But I think his presence has equally brought that kind of influence to others and has elevated their game as well.”

Gilman is tied for third on the team with 38 tackles. He has one forced fumble and has broken up two passes.

“He’s just a dynamic player,” linebacker Drue Tranquill said.

Gilman does have experience in the Notre Dame-Navy game. He made 12 tackles for the Midshipmen in the 2016 game in Jacksonville, Fla., which Navy won 28-27.

“I remember it being a big game for Navy,” he said. “It’s the Super Bowl of (Navy’s) season besides Army.”

Gilman finished the 2016 season second on the team in tackles (76), pass breakups (five) and fumble recoveries (two), playing free safety, cornerback and outside linebacker.

“He’s obviously a really good football player,” Niumatalolo said. “Just his attention to detail as a freshman. When he came, he wasn’t a really highly recruited kid, but he was a really good football player from a really good school (Kahuku High School in Hawaii). His dad (Asai) is also a coach and has been around the game for a while and has helped his son.

“He’s a really smart, tough football player. Obviously, we wish he was still playing for us.”

The desire to pursue an NFL career was part of Gilman’s motivation for leaving Annapolis. Notre Dame announced the move on June 9, 2017.

“In the spring of 2017, they changed the rule (for) service academy athletes going professional that you had to serve first,” Gilman said. “Ultimately, that was one of the decisions that tipped me over to transferring.”

Gilman said the move has worked out.

“I’m grateful to be in this position now,” he said, “learning and continuing to grow.”

Extra points: Aaron Banks is slated to start at left guard Saturday. He’ll replace Trevor Ruhland, who becomes an option at right guard with Tommy Kraemer. … Running back Jafar Armstrong (knee infection) and cornerback Troy Pride Jr. (ankle) have practiced this week and are expected to play.